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Metallica Launches Its Own Festival

Let’s face it: There aren’t a whole lot of festivals that combine metal and indie-rock bands on the same bill. If you happen to be a fan of both, this can really make picking which festivals you want to hit up over the summer a real pain. Never fear, Metallica is here. The band has been leaving cryptic hints about “saving the date,” which has finally been revealed. On June 23 and 24, Metallica will be holding its own festival at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ. Titled Orion Music And More (after one of the band’s most ass-kicking songs), the festival will feature an unexpected lineup; audience members can go from headbanging to the stoner metal riffs of the Sword to dancing their way through sets from Arctic Monkeys and Titus Andronicus.

And if the concept of Metallica throwing its own festival isn’t enough, this will also be a celebration of the Black Album’s 20th anniversary. One night will feature the band playing that album in its entirety, the other all of Ride The Lightning, which is a first for the band.

Check below for the initial band list and the LiveStream announcement. More bands will be announced soon, as well as other details about the festival. The website states that the festival will also feature a “lifestyle element, showcasing the band’s individual interests and allowing fans to interact directly with each of the band members.” We have no idea what that means, but judging from what’s been announced so far, it’s bound to be pretty awesome.